 Van Alstyne, Texas  Columbia
College was
organized in 1889 with Profession H.L. Piner as president.
The
school included a large dormitory just north of the campus.
Enrollment grew from 40 the first year to 578 by 1894 when
the
college was affiliated with Texas University.
Columbia College was organized into a high school in 1905. Supt. L.E. Gee was the Superintendent at the time and the school board was composed of the following persons: J.C. Watts C.C. Walsh E.A. Turner Dr. S.D. Moore Dr. T.S. Cartwright D.S. Thompson C.C. Andrews There were no graduates the first term. The following year there were two, Roscoe Garver and Earl McComb. W.F. Barnett was elected Superintendent in 1907 and has had charge of our schools until the present time. G.T. McDonough was appointed trustee in 1907 to fill out an unexpired term and has been Secretary of the Board since that time, he being the only member who has served continuously from that date. Through the efforts of the School Board and Supt. Barnett an appropriation of $2000 was secured from the State to establish courses in Domestic Economy, Manual Training and Agriculture. As a result of the State Aid and the earnest labors or our school authorities, we have one of the best, if not the best, industrial department to be found in the schools of our State. Bonds were voted in the year 1908 for the purpose of constructing a high school building and in the spring 1909 we entered our new building for the first time. We are affiliated with the following colleges and universities: State University, Class I Agricultural and Mechanical College Baylor University Texas Christian University Trinity University Southwestern University Austin College Randolph-Macon Woman's College The State Department of Education has issued a certificate classifying our school as a "High School of the First Class". James Greer and Miss Rachel Cox were the first teachers in Van Alstyne's first school, a one-room building located on east Jefferson Street. The second school was located north of the Fielder Lumber Company, and S.R. Evans and his wife taught there. Dallas Morning News 10 July 1897 SHERMAN SIFTINGS The Faculty Selected Sherman, Tex., July 9 - The faculty for the summer normal for Grayson county teachers, which is to be open at Van Alstyne from July 12 to Aug 19, has been selected as follows: W.L. Lemmon of Sherman, conductor, mathematics, mental and moral science methods and management D.F. Eaglton of Sherman, civics, history and English literature W.M. Williams of Whitesboro, physics, physiology and geography Miss Ella Dickerson of Denison, reading, writing, spelling and primary methods Matters have been so arranged and carefully looked after in accordance with the request of State Superintendent Carlisle that the total expense necessary to be incurred during the five weeks' term need not exceed $20. The people of Van Alstyne are proud their little city secured this term and have placed the magnificent Columbia college building and apparatus at the disposal of the teachers attending.  Columbia College History Schools Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |